Courtney - Loris Jarvis
LORIS JARVIS COURTNEY
Source: Waveland Independent July 27, 1923
For the second time within a month, Waveland has been stirred by tragedy. One of our boys, Loris J. Courtney had his life snuffed out under horrifying circumstances about 5 on Thursday afternoon of last week. Three other men met instant death at the same moment and one other escape by a miracle. Courtney has been running on the local crew for a number of years as brakeman and latterly as extra conductor. But in February last he transferred to the switching crew that handles cars between Midway and Crawfordsville, so that he might be at home on ights with his family in that city. On the fatal evening the crew was taking a train of 10 cars up to Midway, which would have ended the days work. The train was backing on a fill about two miles north of Crawfordsville where the Van crosses the Darlington road when it is supposed the tender, which was light from being nearly empty, jumped the track, throwing the engine and 3 coal cars down the embankmet. Harry Tracy, conductor, JC Derby, engineer and Victor Lemon, fireman were in the cab and are supposed to have been instantly killed. Courtney was on one of the coal cars and was seen to jump just as they were going off, but was caught and buried under 150 tons of coal. The body was not recovered until 8 o'clock on Friday morning. The brother, Lyle Courtney, of Evansville was notified of the accident and arrived just at the hour the body was recovered. Loris Courtney, son of Abraham and Jennie Jarvis Courtney, was born on the Sturgeon farm, south of Miligan August 4, 1885. He grew up in this community and attended our schools. He began work on the Midland but changed over to the Van. He was a boy that everybody liked and a faithful employee. He married Miss Edith Gilkeson who with 4 children survive: Lucille, Marcia, Ronald and Margaret. Funeral services were held at the Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon. Burial at Oak Hill. The Ku Klux Klan had charge of the servies at the grave. Those attending from here were: Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Loudermill, Mrs. Charles Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Milt Heslar, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Durham, Wilder Rinehart, Mrs. Olive Lough, John Gilliland, Willard Jarvis, Ben Canine, Dr. Brason, JS Pickard, Joe Huston and Miss Madge Spruhan. - kbz
Source: Waveland Independent Aug 3, 1923
Loris Jarvis Courtney was born in Parke County, Indiana Aug 4, 1885 and departed this life with 3 fellow workers in a tragic wreck on the Vandalia about 5 o'clock on Thursday July 19, 1923. He was just arriving at full manhood, being 37 years, 11 months 15 days. He was the eldest son of Abraham L. and Virginia Jarvis Courtney. At the age of 5 the family removed to Waveland where he grew from boyhood to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools. He was a regular attendant at Sunday School and at the early age of 12, hearing the Master's Call was baptized into the Christian Church under the ministry of Rev JC Burkhart. He was united in marriage Dec 29 1910 to Edith Gertrude Gilkeson by the Rev. Mr. Plunkett. To this union were born six children: Lucille, Marcia, Lyle Vernon, Virginia Catherine, Ronald and Margaret; Lyle Vernon and Virginia Catherine preceded their father to the Master's arms in infancy. About 15 years ago the dangerous calling of his chosen life work was entered upon and his duties were always discharged faithfully and loyally, meriting the confidence reposed in him by his employers and winning the esteem and friendship of his fellow employees. About 11 years ago he entered the employ of the PA RR and has held his promotion as extra conductor for the last 3 years. He was always an obedient and loving son, so thoughtful and kind to his mother, a loving and devoted husband, an indulgent father, a fond brother, a true friend and one ever ready to help those in distress. The greater part of his married life was spent in Crawfordsville the last 7 years being in continuous residence. We like to feel that the community's loss is all for the Master's gain. Time can never heal, though it may soften the wound caused by the break in the family circle. He will be missed and held in fondest remembrance by a loving wife and 4 children of this city, fond parents of Waveland, a brother, Lyle Vernon, of Evansville and a host of other relatives and a wide circle of friends. He was a member of the Order of Railway Conductors and Knight of the Ku Klux Klan.